<p>Hey, so I've been practicing for the psat(i'm a sophomore) and took a practice test today and i got a 196 (CR=58, W=58, M=80). I know that's a good score and stuff but I'm aiming for the National Merit next year and for my state I need to improve 20 more points. As you can probably see, I got math down, but i am struggling a little with writing and reading. Last time i took a practice test, I got a 192(CR=54, W=64, M=74). So I think i need help especially on reading. Any tips? Btw I already know about noitaperp's guide and Silverturtle guide and im trying to focus more on reading so i'd appreciate tips on reading but also with writing. And for those who already took the SAT, how much did your score improve from either sophomore or junior psat to sat?</p>
<p>Key to reading:
ULTRA simplified but it helped me get 800 and CR is easily my best section.</p>
<p>Know your vocab and practice on doing te vocab sections fast. They are the easiest part and should take you no longer than 1-2min for each section.</p>
<p>For the passages, mark the indicated line references before reading. Read carefully and underline accordingly and then proceed to the questions.</p>
<p>Some rules about the passages+questions:
-Do a set daily for guaranteed success.
-Do not choose contradictory answers (obviously)
-When choosing answers pay close attention to the tone (the vocab choice)
-Avoid choosing awkwardly phrased answer
-people advise to avoid choosing extreme answers (ie: how would the author respond to this? Answer: CONPLETE AGREEMENT), but many times those extreme answers are correct. (I can remember atleast 1 instance “complete agreement” or other “extreme” answers were correct)</p>
<p>What did you use to learn vocab? and thanks for the tips about the passage questions</p>
<p>For vocab, I guarantee you that there are lots of words within books you read at school or for fun that you do not know. When you come across one, don’t hesitate to jot it down and look it up and jot die the definition. </p>
<p>You will be surprised how many words you will come across that are found on past SATs or tests in the blue book.</p>
<p>That’s another thing, while in the blue book, and while practicing, mark all the words that you don’t know (including in passages) and look them up and define them. </p>
<p>As for a vocab base, I used a packet given to me of 2000 words from my SAT prep center but I think I heard it was just a list of GRE words (or something like that?)</p>
<p>Otherwise, I’ve heard that direct hits (?) works well. </p>
<p>In any case, you should practice a lot. Getting the feel of the sentence completion questions and mastering POE for them is invaluable practice. </p>
<p>Even with TONS of words memorized, you are still likely to run into words you won’t recognized, but POE can get you through those. </p>
<p>For more practice, I wouldn’t recommend you do this in depth or extensively, but you could also be familiar with some word roots.</p>
<p>That should be everything you need to know to master the vocab.</p>
<p>If you don’t know a word, make up a meaning for it. Works with me.</p>
<p>Oh I forgot to addres this part:</p>
<p>My sophomore PSAT was lower than yours 190 flat With all my scores ~6X
My junior first sat was 2300 (740M 800CR 760W) and my junior PSAT was 236 (80M 80W 76CR) </p>
<p>You can definitely improve.</p>
<p>Just keep in mind that the PSAT isn’t everything. Focus more on your SAT, trust me. (PSAT should come easy if you practice for SAT).</p>